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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Rio Bonito
One day is enough for Rio Bonito: take a bus from Rio de Janeiro, see the natural parks and waterfalls, then return.
Rio Bonito is a peripheral municipality in the Greater Rio area, reachable by bus or van from Rio de Janeiro in about 1½ h. Its attractions are spread across a few natural parks and historic sites, making a single day sufficient for a quick visit.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov (check)
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (rainy season, check)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$80–120 excl. bed · Mid R$120–200 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | R$5–8 |
| Meal at a modest restaurant | R$20–35 |
| Bus ticket Rio → Rio Bonito | R$30–45 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GIG · Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport
- Main gateway for Rio de Janeiro region; bus or van to Rio Bonito via Rio city centre.
Typical fares
- Rio de Janeiro → Rio Bonito (bus)
- about R$35, 1½ h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Bus or van from Rio de Janeiro (Terminal Menezes Côrtes or Central do Brasil). Within town, walk or use local taxis; no public rail.
See and do
Known for
- Serra do Sambê natural park
- Bagres Falls (20 m high)
- Parque da Caixa d'Água
- Ruins of the old train station
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tanguá | Bus from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Bonito, then local taxi ~20 min | ≈2 h total |
| Itaboraí | Bus to Rio Bonito, then local bus ~15 min | ≈2 h total |
| Cachoeiras de Macacu | Bus to Rio Bonito, then taxi ~30 min | ≈2 h 30 min total |
| Maricá | Bus to Rio Bonito, then local bus ~25 min | ≈2 h 15 min total |
| São Gonçalo | Bus to Rio Bonito, then taxi ~20 min | ≈2 h total |
| Niterói | Bus to Rio Bonito, then bus/taxi ~30 min | ≈2 h 30 min total |
Sleep
- Bristol Easy Hotel
- Located in Mangueirinha, close to the city centre.
- Hotel Indiano
- Near Parque Indiano on BR‑101, basic amenities.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençakohm lee‑sen‑sah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh‑brah‑doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?kwahn‑toh koos‑tah |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?ohn‑jee fee‑kah oo bah‑nye‑iroh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Last urban buses leave Rio centre around 20:00; plan return earlier.
- Some natural‑park trails are unpaved; wear sturdy shoes.
Generally safe for day visitors; stay on main roads, keep valuables hidden, and avoid isolated trails after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Rio Bonito yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Serra do Sambê natural park
- Bagres Falls (20 m high)
- Parque da Caixa d'Água
- Ruins of the old train station
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Rio Bonito, revision 5052372 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5052372
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/rio-bonito). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.